UNICEF To Become A Partner Of U16

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of EuroBasket 2015 and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have agreed on cooperation in the framework of staging the U16 European Championship Men 2013 in Ukraine.

EuroBasket 2015 tournament director Markian Lubkivskyi and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Ukraine Yukie Mokuo met to discuss the social projects to be implemented during the U16 championship.

According to Markian Lubkivskyi, the U16 European Basketball Championship is not only a sports event, but also a social one: "For the first time in its history the U16 basketball championship is held in Ukraine offering us a good chance not only to see exciting basketball played by the young players but also to draw society's attention to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and attracting children to sports, namely basketball."

"Sport is an important element of a child's development. We believe that engaging UNICEF as the Tournament's social partner will not only allow us to hold an informational campaign but will also help to carry out bigger projects," stressed the tournament director.

UNICEF Ukraine Representative Yukie Mokuo said: "I am very pleased that UNICEF Ukraine will be a partner of the U16 European Championship to raise public awareness to the importance of protection of children's rights, their physical education and cultural development. Our partnership will focus on basketball promotion along with the importance of the protection of children's rights, especially those who are the most socially vulnerable. Sport is an important platform for their physical and spiritual education. We are looking forward to joint sports activities to improve the lives of children in Ukraine."

As part of the UNICEF cooperation, a social project is to be implemented aiming at drawing the society's attention to vulnerable children (disabled children, street children, children who have encountered HIV or violence). The project details will be disclosed at the end of July.